Vancouver Gulf Islands Cruise

[krafthaus]

My wife and I enjoyed a fantastic weekend cruise from Vancouver to the Gulf Islands last weekend with 2 other couples. We chartered 40' Beneteau "Nawitka" from Blue Pacific Yacht Charters (great to work with) out of False Creek and motored to Montague Harbour through Active Pass (40+ nm) - where was the wind? Supper was at the Hummingbird Pub, thanks to a free ride from the marina on the Pub Bus! Not to be missed when at Montague.

Saturday was a trip to Van Isle Marina at Sidney for Lunch and a nice sail back to Ganges on Saltspring Island. Had the current with us both ways thanks to the changing tide.

From Saltspring through Porlier Pass to Snug Cove on Bowen Island on Sunday. This while accompanied by a pod of 6 Killer Whales for an hour on the North end of Galiano Island. Beautiful creatures and rightfully in their natural envronment, not on public display in an aquarium! Once through Porlier we had a great 20 mile run on a close reach back to Bowen Island. Enjoyed porpoises, seals and other sea life on the weekend as well.

Snug Cove is our favorite. Great marina with some of the best facilities. Very quaint with great selection of restaurants. We had pizza from the wood fired oven at the Tuscany. Extremely tasty.

Girls shopped til noon on Monday then enjoyed a nice sail back to False Creek to end the weekend.

Highly recommend this excellent cruising area!

Next up.....5 day cruise in September with more friends on a Lagoon 400 from False Creek to Desolation Sound and back. Looking forward to more cruising time in this area.

[timandchanel]

let us know how the L400 goes please

[jackdale]

Just a word of warning.

5 days from Vancouver to Desolation will not give you much chance to explore this stunning area. It will be two days up and back, minimum. You might try a charter out of Comox; two companies operate out of there. Another is out of Powell River.

Sidney and Nanaimo may be better choices to visit the Gulf Islands.

[krafthaus]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Just a word of warning.

5 days from Vancouver to Desolation will not give you much chance to explore this stunning area. It will be two days up and back, minimum. You might try a charter out of Comox; two companies operate out of there. Another is out of Powell River.

Sidney and Nanaimo may be better choices to visit the Gulf Islands.

Yes, agree on the distance problem but Vancouver works best for us. First night is planned for Pender Harbour, second night in Prideaux Haven. Then around Redonda Islands and back to Lund for night three and a back as close to Vancouver as possible on day 4. That will leave a shorter sail back into Vancouver at the end of the trip.

Hoping for some favorable winds the way up and way back to minimize motoring. But in the end, will enjoy the time on the Lagoon with good company enjoying the scenery, visits, cards, games and laughs.

Depending on this experience we'd consider chartering from closer to Desolation in future. Thanks for the comments.